10 Romantic Destinations That'll Have You Swooning in South Dakota

1. Go ice-skating at Main Street Square in Downtown Rapid City

It may be chilly, but when you and your date glide hand-in-hand across the ice at Main Street Square, things are sure to heat up. Here you can ice-skate under the twinkling lights of downtown Rapid City, then grab dinner or drinks just steps away from the rink at one of the many unique venues downtown.

2. Attend a Valentine’s Day Cabaret

Spend a romantic – and possibly rambunctious – evening stage-side at the Black Hills Playhouse. Some of the nation’s finest thespians will come together for one night only to put on a cabaret-style performance in the last place you’d expect – hidden amongst the Ponderosa Pines of Custer State Park.

3. Get into the wild at the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary

Just outside of Hot Springs, you’ll find a perfect date destination for the equine admirer in your life. At the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, more than 600 wild mustangs gallop freely across 11,000 acres of open land. Reserve a spot on one of the sanctuary’s private tours to get up close to the untamed majesty that was once commonplace across the state.

4. Be pampered at Akela Spa of Deadwood

Unwind together for a day of uninterrupted serenity at Akela Spa of Deadwood. With treatments influenced by the Lakota Tribe and indigenous practices of the region, the Black Hills’ only destination day spa offers a truly unique experience that will leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated.

5. Cuddle up for a getaway at Spearfish Canyon Lodge

Escape to a weekend of adventure and romance at Spearfish Canyon Lodge. The surrounding area is home to two of the highest peaks east of the Rockies with over 300 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and ski slopes. Plus, with the lodge’s Romantic Rendezvous Package – available year-round – you can unwind at the end of your action-packed day with dinner for two, a rose petal turndown, champagne, and breakfast in bed the next morning.

6. Settle in for a couples massage at Rejuvenations Serenity Spa in Pierre

For a relaxing, hands-on date in South Dakota’s state capital, visit Rejuvenations Serenity Spa. Here, the healing touch of a highly trained masseuse will soothe your mind and relieve tension in your body– while the spa’s calming ambience sparks a romance that would put Cupid’s arrows to shame.

7. Reserve a table for Date Night at Charley’s @ the Goss

The Goss Opera House in Watertown is much more than a historic center for arts and music – it’s also the best place in town for a candlelit dinner with your special someone. Charley’s, the Goss’s on-site steak house, offers a “date night” menu complete with decadent three-course meals and a bottle of wine for two.

8. Share a treat at C.H. Patisserie

If your sweetheart has a sweet tooth, a trip to C.H. Patisserie will surely hit the spot. Owned and operated by Top Chef winner Chris Hanmer, this Sioux Falls staple has been called one of the best bakeries in the nation by Thrillist and the Daily Meal. Plus, with extended hours on Valentine’s Day, it’ll be the icing on the cake after dinner downtown.

9. Take a Twilight Flight at Strawbale Winery

Let your love soar with a date that quite literally goes above and beyond. You’ll start the evening off with hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting at Strawbale Winery. Then hop aboard a helicopter for a Twilight Flight aerial tour of nearby downtown Sioux Falls. Flights take place Friday and Saturday, February 12–13.

10. Dinner and a show in Aberdeen

Start your night off where authentic Italian cuisine meets old world charm at Roma Ristorante Italiano. Here, you’ll toast to a romantic evening with a bottle of fine vino and indulge in delicacies from northern and southern Italy, including veal, chicken, pasta and much more. Then make your way to the Aberdeen Community Theatre for a live performance or movie screening. Visit the theater’s website for tickets and show times.